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Aretha Franklin's former publicist says it's difficult to hear about her condition

By:
CNN

Posted at 9:06 AM, Aug 16, 2018

and last updated2018-08-16 09:06:06-04

Clarence Waldron, Aretha Franklin's former publicist, says he is grappling with the singer's health crisis.

"I have been pushing myself, denying myself of the chance to grieve," he told CNN affiliate WDIV-TV in Detroit. "It's very sad and I know it's inevitable and it'll hit me later on, but it's very difficult to hear that."

The 76-year-old "Queen of Soul" is currently under hospice care for an undisclosed illness.

A source close to Franklin told CNN's Don Lemon that the singer is being visited by people close to her who are reading messages from friends and loved ones and holding her hand.